How to survive a minimum wage hike

Many Alberta businesses indicate they are struggling in today’s economy

By Alannah Turner and Leah Fochuk

10/16/2017|Canadian HR Reporter|Last Updated: 10/16/2017

On Oct. 1, 2017, Alberta saw the second of three increases to the minimum wage, bringing it to $13.60 per hour on the way to $15. In 2016, the minimum wage increased $1 to $12.20 per hour.

At that time, many businesses were predicting significant harm to their ability to stay in business because of the increase in payroll costs. And certainly some small businesses shut down when their profit margin became too small to justify being in business.

Many businesses continue to indicate they are struggling in today’s economy and are bracing for the second stage increase toward 2018’s $15-per-hour minimum wage.